Joint Secretary to Face Legal Action Over Mother’s Death: State Minister

Public Administration State Minister Md. Abdul Bari has stated that legal action is being initiated today against Joint Secretary A.K.M. Anisur Rahman following the tragic death of his elderly mother, Nurjahan Begum, in the capital's Mirpur. Speaking exclusively to The Daily Campus on Wednesday morning, the State Minister confirmed the administration's swift stance on the matter.

He noted that a media outlet had informed him that the Joint Secretary was denying his mother’s death, but authorities are actively gathering all necessary information. He added that relevant officials are compiling all relevant facts and evidence, and once his identity and associated details are confirmed, required steps will be taken against him very swiftly in accordance with the law.

Regarding the specific nature of the government's intervention, the State Minister highlighted that there is an existing law enacted to ensure the maintenance and care of parents, and the process to take action under that framework has begun.

He further mentioned that the Chairman of the relevant Port Authority has briefed the ministry regarding the incident. Terming the occurrence inhumane and completely unacceptable, the State Minister emphasized that while the process begins today, administrative actions follow a specific procedural track that will be strictly adhered to, with updates on progress to be shared later.

The administrative move follows a grim discovery on Sunday, May 31, when the police recovered the highly decomposed, insect-riddled body of Nurjahan Begum from a flat in the capital's Mirpur-11 area after receiving a distress call on the national emergency hotline 999.

The incident has since triggered widespread public shock and debate. According to local residents and sources close to the investigation, Nurjahan Begum had been living a highly isolated life for a long time. Allegations have surfaced against her schoolteacher daughter, who resided in an adjacent room within the same apartment but failed to inform law enforcement agencies about her mother's demise.

Neighbors revealed that the elderly woman's two sons lived separately and had maintained no regular contact with her for a prolonged period. Aside from her son A.K.M. Anisur Rahman, who holds the rank of a government Joint Secretary, her other son, A.K.M. Ashikur Rahman, serves as a Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology.

Commodore Md. Shofikul Islam Sarker, the Acting Chairman of the Mongla Port Authority, provided further context to The Daily Campus regarding the official's initial reaction, stating that the Joint Secretary initially denied the matter to avoid police complications before later admitting that his mother had passed away.

Regarding whether any formal disciplinary steps have already landed at his desk, Commodore Sarker added that he has not received an official letter yet, but he has been informed that the Secretariat is actively reviewing the matter and the process for taking necessary action is currently underway. Multiple attempts were made to contact Joint Secretary A.K.M. Anisur Rahman directly to record his statement regarding the comprehensive allegations, but he did not respond to the phone calls.